Page 74 of A Torn Allegiance
“Wholeheartedly. Her mother and I will miss her dearly, but that’s what ships are for, is it not?”
“Indeed. And we have talked about a visit to Oldenburg. The whole family is invited, of course. I may have to depart sooner than I would like, and if so, I would greatly love to have Elsie at my side, with her family.”
The duke nodded slowly. “Why the hurry?”
Hayes shifted, not wanting to detail any of the unrest. It would not only shine a poor light on his leadership but also would suggest a hint of danger for their daughter. That and he was simply tired of the subject. But he said, “I have spoken to you of our crops and the tenants; I wish to relieve my people of their concerns. I feel I have found solutions and wish to implement them sooner rather than later. In short, my mind is tugging at me to return while my heart wishes to linger here.”
“So your heart is engaged as well?” The duke nodded in approval. “My wife and I have a love match and have found great unity in our relationship over the years.”
“I do love your daughter. I cannot bear to part from her. My love is captured wholly by the lift of her hand, the rise of her chin, and most certainly everything that comes out of her mouth.” He cleared his throat. Had he been too bold? Too descriptive? He could hardly speak in concise sentences about Elsie.
The duke’s smile grew. “Happy I am to hear it. You have my blessing. Let us talk further of the travel plans when the time comes. I know the duchess would not miss such a chance, no matter what needs to be addressed in the House of Lords.” He shook his head, then stood. “Welcome to the family, and may things progress as we all wish them to.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
When they shook, it was as father and son, in a way, and Hayes was grateful to have such good feeling between them all.
By the time they returned, the other guests were arriving and the noise level in the room had increased. Elsie’s eyes lifted to his the second he stepped through the doorway. He smiled, and her glowing response could have lit the room. She held out her hand.
As he moved toward her, the admiral rested a hand on his arm, pausing his progress. “Prince Hayes, I am glad to see you here, for I have news. We have made plans that perhaps we can take a moment this evening to discuss.”
Hayes looked in apology to Elsie, who nodded and then watched with interest as he paused to address the admiral. “Excellent. I am most anxious to hear it.”
Admiral Hollings nodded. “Very good. Perhaps we can find a moment after dinner.”
Hayes bowed to the admiral’s wife and then stepped again in a path to Elsie, but Kristoff stopped him.
He grunted. “Brother.”
Kristoff blocked his desired path across the room. Then he laughed at Hayes’s lack of enthusiasm to see him. “I’m just stopping you because I know you hope to go directly to my future sister-in-law and have already been detained once.”
“Must you be so troublesome?”
“Have you spoken with her father?”
“I have, and we are officially courting.”
Kristoff surprised him and pulled him into a full brother hug, patting his back and all. “I couldn’t be more pleased if it were my own happiness.”
“Thank you, Brother. I wish for you to be just as happy.” He clapped Kristoff on the back.
Marc raised a glass to them both from across the room, and Hayes felt a sudden bit of pride in their brotherly unity. But when he turned to approach Elsie, she was no longer where he’d seen her last. He whipped his head around. She walked with Lady Sophie in the direction of the duchess. Her apologetic expression did not assuage his desire to celebrate with her that her father’s permission for them to court had been granted.
Bartholomew joined him. “Perhaps a woman’s best friend is not a man’s greatest asset.”
Admiral Hollings laughed and joined them. “Come, men, there will be a time when she is your greatest ally. Make a friend of her best friend, and you will have a happy marriage, mark my words.”
“How so?” Hayes asked, and both men turned to the admiral to hear this bit of wisdom.
“She will support you in moments of confusion or if you blunder your way through something. She will encourage you when the nerves hit your wife, but her greatest worth comes later, in the many hours when your wife will need more companionship, when you have exhausted all womanly conversation and you have nothing to add to any discussions on gowns or ribbons.” He laughed again.
Bartholomew and Hayes watched the admiral, Bartholomew’s brows furrowed in confusion and Hayes trying to predict a time, any time, when he would be fatigued of Elsie’s conversation. He could not imagine such a thing. Was he the kind of man to crave her attention whenever he was not blessed with it? Perhaps. His gaze found her again, and what he wanted more than anything was to converse with her. Always. Any topic would do, but most particularly, he wished to discuss their courtship, to acknowledge it existed. He sighed in frustration.
Admiral Hollings clapped him on the back. “Come, man. I’m certain you will escort her into dinner. Never fear.”
The happiness that something so simple could bestow upon Hayes made him join the admiral in laughter. “Am I a lovesick fool now?”
“Absolutely not. You have chosen one of the best women England has to offer, though she is underestimated in theton. Her talents will be of great benefit to your royal courts.” He nodded, all the teasing gone. “I wish you every happiness in your pursuit. We are quite proud of her, my wife and I.”
